Building construction



March 31. 1925.

A. VERMEULE N BUILDING CONSTHUCTI ON Filed June 13, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ill' 5 IV i.

INVENTOR, meufiwd;

- BYWMM J --ATTORNEYS.

March 31. 1925. I 1,531,887

A. \(ERMEULEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 15, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I VENTOR,

al wb/iwm ATTORNEYS.

vPatented Mar. 3 1, -l925. v

UNITED-STATES PATENT "OFFICE.

. AURELE VERMEULEN, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF 'ro WILLIAM J). HAMMOND, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed n ne 13, 1921. Serial No. 477,085.

To all whom may concern: A place a foraminous member on the ,side of Be it known that I, AURIELE VERMEULEN, a building and tile might be placed on said a citizen of the United States, residing at foraminous member. I do not wish, to y Los Angeles, in-the county of Los Angeles, confine the particular construction to roofs,

6 and State of California, have invented new as It IS readily adaptable to side Walls and and useful Improvements in Building (1011- to a variety of other uses in building constructions, of which the following is'a specistruction. fl d The invention has for further objects the.

This invention relates to building con- PI' ViSiOn of an improved means for use in 3.0 struction, and particularly to building conbuilding construction which is economical, struction wherein tile is used. It-- is easy to assemble, which provides maxi m ordinary practice in building construction g l'lg ldlty, strength and stress-resistance propwhere roofing tiles are used to h v frame ertles, and whlch will be adaptable for many members or rafters and sheathing of wood. 11565 and purposes, as will more fully appear.

15 Th b ildi th i may b fi of, Wltll the above and other objects in view,

but when the roof is reached combustible t Invention COIlSiStS th novel and uset i l i d, A a Consequence h ful provision, construction, formation, interfire occurs the roof will burn and if tile 11313131011 o parts, members and features, all has been laid upon the'rafters of course the as shown 1n the a ompanying drawings,

20 til 111 f ll i upon th b ildi descrlbed 1n the followmg detailed descrip- An object of this invention is to do away 0 and finally pointed out in claims. with the ordinary wooden rafters and the Y mg Z sheathing to form a roof which is absolutely gu 1 I a fragmentary perspective fireproof; another object is the provision f I mIIIQII member whlch may 25 of a f hi h uses til hi h id be used 1n cooperatlon with tile in building for a light construction and yet provides a 'D; construction which readily resists stresses. Fig re 2 s a ragm nt ry c oss sectional In practicing the invention I provide vlew 0n the l1ne 2-2 of Figure 1, and lookforaminous metallic members laid upon and ing in the direction of the appended arrows;

30 fastened to channel iron members, which Figurev 3 is a fragmentary perspective channel iron members take the place of the view of side wall construction, which side usual rafters in roof construction. Over wall construction uses a foraminous memthe foraminous members I lay the tile memher with fiat slabs in over-lapping relation bers and preferably fasten the tile members attached thereto;

3 at one point to said foraminous members. Figure 4; is a fragmentary perspective It is known in mechanics that a network of view of a foraminous member having steel laths forms a rigid construction and Spanish tile attached thereto, and showing one that is not likely to buckle, but which the manner in which the Spanish tile is will resist stress in all directions. If this placed thereon;

network is reinforced by longitudinal or Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional lateral members, or both, we have a conview o'f'the construction shown in Figure 4,

struct'ion that is at once rigid and which and showing means of attaching the tile will sustain an immense amount of weight, 'to the foraminous member;

and at the same time be light in construc- Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional 45 tion. Tile is very heavy, varying from 750 view of a particular form of frame-work.

to 1500 pounds or more per square. It construction, which is fire-proof, used in would therefore appear that even for light, conjunction with Spanish tile; tile the rafters or frame work must be very Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail of the 1 strong and therefore the advantage gained construction shown in Figure 6, and show- 50 by a construction like mine would readily ing the method of applying the Spanish tile be appreciated. to the frame-work; 1

Obviously in tile construction I might Figure 8 is afragmentary cross sectional Figure 8 view of a method of placing fiat slabs of tile on channel irons in roof construction, and the method of attaching the same;

Figure 9 is a modification of the showing in Figure 8 and using L-shaped channel irons in place of the U-shaped shown in Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail View, certain parts being in section, of fiat slabs applied to a foraminous member, which may be used in wall or roof c onstruction;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 illustrates a corrugated metallic roof or wall and the method of forming the same;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 shows a loosely woven construction of frame-work which may be utilized in conjunction with tile;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary cross sectional View showing the method whereby a slab, the cross work or foraminous member, as well as a rafter may be tied or united by meansof a single bolt or stud;

Corresponding parts in all the figures are designated by the same reference characters.

Referring with particularity to the draw: ings, I have shown a variety of means for effecting the main object desired, viz: a fire-proof roof or wall construction. In using the word wall I Wish to be under stood as including within its meaning flooring and ceilings.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, I have therein illustrated a construction utilizing what is known as Mission. tile A, which Mission tile is placed upon and secured to a frame-work B, said frame-work B in turn being supported upon rafters Or The construction shownin F igure 1 may be utilized for roofing or for side walls, but considering the particular construction in its use for roofs, the rafters C are preferably channel or'angle irons, and the frame-work B is likewise preferably formed of metallic members. It will thus be seen that this particular construction differs from the ordinary construction of roofs, in that no wood 1s used, and that the danger through fire and a collapsing roof is entirely overcome.

The particular construction of the framework-B includes cross members 1 and 2 spaced from each other, and tied-together by suitable means, as 2*. The metallic mem-' bers 1 and 2 may have a fiat face construc tion, as shown. There is likewise included in the frame-work further members 3 which are arranged at an angleto the plane ofthe-members 1 and 2, the members-1 and ,2 lying in parallel planes, while the mem bers- 3 lie in a plane perpendicular or at right angles, to the planes of'the members 1 m1 2. The-members 3 may be inter-connected or they may be in a spaced parallel g relation to each other, as shown in Figure 1. The members 3 present a corrugated appearance having what may be termed a hill and valley formation, as 4 and 5, respectively. The valley portion may be flattened, as shown at 6 for attachment with the members l and 2 through the medium of the connecting means 2 In the method of laying the tile A, certain of the tile, as "a, lie

across between the members 3, while otherof said tile A, as b, are supportedin position and straddle the members 3. It will I work of diagonal cross members in spaced relation with each of said independent cross members lying in parallel courses with a further series of members joined with said first named members in parallel courses and at angles to said first named members. The tile members are laid in courses, certain of which are carried by and lie upon the first named cross members and between the upstanding members attached to said first named members, while other tile members are carried by the upstanding members and overlap certain' of the tile members. This particular construction is of vgreat'strength and rigidity. In ordinary building construction where wood is used, it is necessary to brace very thoroughly, due to the great weight of the tile members, and it is obvious that the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2 overcomes the complicated wooden girder construction. 1

In Figure 3, which illustrates a wall con struction, we have a beam'D formed of channel iron and to said beam is united or otherwise attached a foraminous member E formed of inter-connected parallel round bars 8 and 9. To said bars may be attachedslab members F, as by means 10 passing through said-slab members at an upper end thereof and joined with certain of the members 8 and 9. Figure 3 resemble shingles and may be used in place of the ordinary shingle construction in buildings. It will at once beseen that this particular'construction does away with concrete walls and that a fire-proof building may be easily erected by use of such a construction. It is very easy to imagine building a house by utilizing a 0011- struetion such as shown in Figure 3. Itwould only be necessary to cut out certain portions of the member E for the doors and The slab members in economical requiring no particular skill in the forming of joints, etc., as is now neces sary in the ordinary wooden construction of a dwelling. Concrete requires molds and extra workmen. This construction does not require a large number of workmen, nor is it necessary that the workmen be particularly skilled in the erection of the building. tile must be carefully laid, but if the holes are bored properly in the tile and the foraminous members are delivered cut, to size, and properly perforated, it would be a simple matter to assemble to form the sides of a house and the roof.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated a roofwhich utilizes Spanish tile G, and said tile is applied to the foraminous member E which was described for Figure 3. It will be noted on reference to Figure 5 that the tile is easily fastened to the foraminous member E by means of twisted wire mem' bers 11 passing through perforations in the tile with the wire joined with the foraminous member, In the laying of the Spanish tile it is to be noted that this particular form of tile differs from the tile shown in Figure 1 in that the tile is so laid as to lap under and be overlapped by adjacent tiles of the same rank. Said tile G may be conveniently maintained in position upon the foraminous' member E by the securing 0 means 11, as described. Upon reference to Figure 4 it will be seen that the securing means 11 really surrounds and connects w th the members 8 and 9 making up the foraminous member E.- In the particular construction of the foraminous member E the members 8 and 9 making up the same may be inter-connected, or not, as desired. However, the members D which are termed beams, are provided with U-shaped or other securing means or staples '12 which effectively unite themembers 8 'and 9 to the same. If the lattice work formation ofthe member E is'joined together at its intersecting point, as 13, it is of course necessary that the securing means 12 be of staple formation. 1

In Figures 6 and 7 I have illustrated a construction wherein the roof 0r wall may be formed in a slightly different manner from that illustrated in the figures just described. This construction comprises a twisted strap H. I preferably provide a plurality of said twisted straps, and it will be noted that said twisted strap includes portions as 14; and 15 at right angles to each other in alternate line formation; Said twisted straps H are supported upon suitable rafters formed of channel irons 16. The Spanish roofing tile is here again illustrated,- and it will be seen that said tile is formed of oppositely curved portions and that the tile lies in overlapping and under- The inventor of course realizes thattile issecurelyheld to the strap. This constructionof course provides for lattice work, a

but the space between the lattice work is greater in one direction than in the other. In other words, the strap members H lie in parallel courses short distances apart, while the rafters or beams 16 lie at relatively 1ncreased distances apart when considered in proportion to the dlstance between the strap 'members H. It is" of course obvious that the distance between thejrafters 16 would depend uponithe strength of the straps and the weight of the tile. In Figure 8 Ihave shown flat slabs in overlapping relation joined by means of a bolt 19 to channel irons 20, the channel irons in turn being I supported .upon' rafters 21. The combination of the members 20, and 21 provides a construction performing a function identical with the function performed by the construction shown in Figures 3,4, 6 and 7 The construction shown in Figure 9 is prac tically identical with the construction shown in Figure 8, with the exception that L- shaped channel irons are used in place of U-shaped. In addition, the tie members may be twisted wires'or staples 22 in place of bolts.

In Figures 10 and 11 I have againillus trated the foraminous frame-work E and have placed thereon flat slabs of-tile. This tile may be the same as that shown in Figure 3 and designated by F. However, in

this particular construction the tile F is united and held to theframe-work E by means of wire staples 23. In Figures 12 and 13 a corrugated form of roofing or Wall construction is shown wherein I provide the frame-work which comprises longitudinal and lateral members, with a corrugated metalliccovering J. The corrugated covering may be conveniently held to the framework by means of bolts'as illustrated in Figure 13. In Figure 14- the frame-work is formed of loosely woven members so formed and bent that the bights unite with the bights of other members to form a continuous structure. This form of construction may be utilized in place of the construction shown in Figures 1', 3, and 6, and

would serve the purpose in an equally useful manner. If the interlocking portions or bights of said members were not connected, it would of course be necessary to securely join said members to the rafters,

roviding this construction is-used for roof- 1ng frame-work. In Figure- 15 I have shown a frame-work such as illustrated in Figure 1 in which the cross members 1 and 2, as well as the rafter C and anyone of the slabs may all be united at a given point by means of a bolt or stud such as shown at 2* in Figure 1. i

From all the figures it will be seen that I have providedanew and novel construction which is particularly useful for buildings that use tile, slate or asbestos shingles or slabs of any form, shape or material. Defective electric wiring, spontaneous combustion, broken gas mains, are often responsible for roof fires where wooden rafters and sheating are used. This danger, however, is entirely. eliminated by my construction as wooden members are dispensed with.

It is obvious that many changes and variations may be made in practicing the invention, such as my making the construction air-tight by separating all contacts between tiles or other fire-proof material with strips of fireproofed felt, as asbestos felt, or by lining the interior of the roof with fireproofed paper roofing, in departure from the particular description and showing of the drawings, without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

forations through which tie devices are- 1. In building construction, a framework comprising spaced members, and a fireproof covering applied over said members and attached thereto at spaced points; said spaced members intersecting each other in lattice formation; there being arched members applied to said first named members, and said fireproof covering comprising members of arched construction applied over said arched members.

2. In building construction, a framework comprising spaced members, and a fireproof covering applied over said members and attached thereto at spaced points; said spaced members intersecting each other in lattice formation; there being arched members applied to said first named members, and said fireproof covering comprising members of arched construction applied over said arched members; said fireproof covering comprising tile provided with perextended to joint such tile with such arched members.

i 3. In building construction, a foraminous lattice-like I frame-work provided with arched members, and a plurality of fireproof tile applied to said arched members and said arched members and in overlapping re-. lation;

said tile having perforations through which tie devices may be extended to secure the tile to the frame-work.

5. In building construction, a lattice-like frame-work provided with arched members, and arched fireproof members applied over said arched members.

6. In building construction, a lattice-like frame-work provided with arched members, and arched fireproof members applied over said arched members; there being other fire-' proof members applied to said frame-work between said arched members.

7. In building construction, a lattice-like frame-work provided with arched members, andarched fireproof members applied over said arched members; there being other fireproof members applied to said frame-work between said arched members; said fireproof members being arranged in overlapping relation.

8. In building construction, a framework provided with arched members, and arched fireproof members applied over said arched members; there being other fireproof members,applied to said frame work between said arched members; said fireproof members being applied in overlapping relation; said arched members being arranged in spaced parallel relation.

9. In building construction, a formainous framework provided with arched members, tile applied over such arched members, and means for anchoring the tile.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AURELE YERMEULEN. 

